Including the surnames Tapley, Drake, Page, Harrell, Odom, Claxton, Bush, and Schwalls from the U.S. Southeast; and Ranney, Hubbard, Hesser, Carter, Schoonover, and Ozmun/Ozman/Osman from the U.S. Northeast and Midwest

Pages

Monday, November 14, 2011

A lot can happen in a year!

One year ago today, I started this blog. Last night when I realized that today is my blogoversary, I went back and read my first post. Boy, have I come a long way! This past year has brought so many major changes, upheavals, hurts, pleasant surprises, and joys that it is a wonder I am still coherent!

Before starting this blog, I had been doing genealogy on my own off and on for many years when I found a friend who was just as excited by looking for dead people as I was. Last year about this time, we attended the Family History Expo in Atlanta. There, I took a class from Thomas MacEntee on writing a blog. That lit a fire under me. As soon as I returned home, I started this blog. I love telling my family's stories (Who doesn't?!). And the best surprises have been all of the cousins and Geneablogger friends I have gained! I purposely and freely put my name out there on the Internet in order to grab the attention of any possible relatives. I am blessed to say it has worked. I have gained at least 10 cousins from writing this blog!

In addition, I have learned a lot about my family. This blog helps motivate me to do more and more research. I mean, I need to find out more to have something to write about on my blog! Also, joining the Geneablogger community - because what blogger who blogs about genealogy wouldn't! - has exposed me to wonderful information, webinars, stronger research techniques, better source citations, friends, acquaintances, and so much more.

Through all that has happened over the past year, this blog has been my constant. The familiar thing I
could come back to. Oh, I had to neglect it for awhile, but it was
right here waiting for my return. It is always patient, always happy,
and always willing to listen. Of course "it" refers to you - my
readers. Thank you for visiting and commenting. If you are related to me, I thank you even more if you drop me a line. I have been called a "cousin collector," and that is just fine by me!

Happy blogiversary! I have really enjoyed following your posts. And I guess it has been a little bit since I visited because today is the first time I've seen your updated look. Very nice! Here's to another year of discovery!